Travel's favourite beaches around New Zealand

Opoutere Beach seen from the top of Motuhaua Rock. Photo / Sam Aldred

Over the past few weeks we've been asking readers and experts what they think are the best beaches in New Zealand. Today, the Travel team share their favourite spots that didn't make the list.

1. Pakiri

I love any beach, anywhere, any time, but one I seem to be drawn to again and again is Pakiri, north of Auckland. The squeaky-white sand is soft and cushiony, the waves are big but not too big, and the water is perfectly clear and clean. It certainly beats the beachesIused to visit in England when I was a kid. Yes, Blackpool, I'm talking to you.

Runner-up: Raglan's Ngarunui Beach for its wild,rugged beauty. Plus I saw Sonny Bill Williams there once. Dreamy.
Stephanie Holmes, Deputy Travel Editor

2. Herne Bay beaches

The best thing about Central Auckland in summeris that you don't need to go far for a swim. Around Herne Bay, there's a great selection of sheltered beaches, each with its own distinct vibe. Sentinel Beach has loungers for basking in the sun, while at Home Bay you can swim to the adjacent wharf and do some sweet bombs at high tide. Around the corner, Herne Bay Beach has a longer stretch of sand and a rope swing into the water. At the height of summer, they can get crowded with fashionable types, but on quiet days you can meet some eccentric characters who've been frequenting these beaches for years.

Runner-up: Orewa Beach — the Florida of Auckland, this sandy strip hostsafun hotrod festival at the end of January.
Eli Orzessek, Travel Writer

3. Spirits Bay

As an honorary Kiwi, with the best part of two months' unbiased experience, I realise there's a lot more shoreline to explore. However, Spirits Bay gets my vote as best beach. It sits atthe top of an already extensive list of favourites. This is not your soft, icing sugar fun-beach or a hardy pebbled dash. Instead, Spirits is covered in a layer of finely ground, purple shells. Where Tasman meets the Pacific. I've a particular soft spotfor the campsite view. It's where I saw in theNew Year, at the northmost end oftheNorth Island.

Runner-up: Perhaps a surprise choice, I'd argue that Cooper's Beach is a close runner-up. Overlooking Doubtless Bay, it's bookended by dramatic, green pa and lined with pohutukawa blossoms. It follows the classic recipe forawinning Northland beach, but with one secret ingredient: Mangonui fish and chips.
Thomas Bywater, Travel Writer

4. Opoutere

Each year, my family heads to the wonderful campground at Opoutere. The long sparse beach is framed by a wobbly old pine forest and the cool, blue Pacific. Slipper Island sits offshore, looking like a teddy bear cooling off in the water and the glorious Motuhaua Rock looks on from the northern end.

Runner-up: I'm a Waiuku boy, and the rugged black gold of Karioitahi pulls me with magnetic draw.
Winston Aldworth, Travel Editor

Go to tinyurl.com/votenzbestbeach to find out the top 10 andtocast your vote.